Social Media Overuse Linked to Declining Wellbeing, Especially Among Western Youth

The phenomenon of "doom-scrolling"—that mindless, brain-numbing habit of endless scrolling—is more than just a bad habit; it is significantly affecting mental health, particularly for young women in Western nations. According to the latest World Happiness Report, published by the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, heavy social media consumption has a detrimental effect on overall wellbeing.

Michael Plant, a Research Fellow at the centre, noted that moderate use can be beneficial. "If you use social media for an hour a day, that's great, you're being connected," Plant explained. However, he emphasized a clear trend: "the report did show a correlation between, the more time you spend on social media the greater loss of wellbeing."

While the study does not pinpoint exactly why the Western world is disproportionately affected, it highlights a stark decline in happiness among those under 25 in nations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK. This drop in wellbeing over the last decade coincides directly with the rapid expansion of social media platforms.

Plant admitted he was initially doubtful about the harmful effects of these platforms. "I was originally skeptical about the negativity on social media, but the evidence is mounting up," he said. He contrasted current youth behavior with previous generations, noting, "So young people are not smoking, they're not taking drugs, having lots of sex like my generation but they do have social media." He added that the architecture of these apps is specifically engineered to keep users engaged.

Despite the risks, some creators find the industry rewarding. Sydney Grows, a fitness content creator who began posting on TikTok in 2021, described her career as "a dream." "I am very lucky, the health and fitness industry, the people are lovely the opportunities are incredible and I feel like I am living my dream every day," she said.

Grows focuses on authenticity, sharing content related to gym interactions and sporting events to foster a positive online environment. However, she acknowledges the emotional toll of online interaction. "I tend to block out the negative comments, I've had four years worth of practice to build the resilience," she stated. Yet, the impact of criticism remains potent: "But you know, you'll get 100 positive comments and it doesn't sink in but then you get one negative comment and it feels personal and it hurts."

With social media now an irreversible part of modern life, experts suggest focusing on personal agency. Plant argued that neither the platforms nor the government will impose restrictions on adults. "It's about being realistic and looking at yourself," he said. "The platforms won't stop you and the government, if you're an adult, won't put restrictions in place so it's down to you."

He advised against comparative thinking, warning, "If you go 'I am looking at other people and their life seems better than mine' then I am going to feel worse." Instead, he encouraged users to shift their focus: "So instead go 'I will go out and try to talk to people more'. Overall, the aim is to put the social back into social media."

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-23 06:27:17 UTC